Differences In Cortisol Levels Research Articles

Socioeconomic and Inflammatory Correlates of Plasma Cortisol Among Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: Cortisol plays a critical role in the biological link between stress and health outcomes. It is frequently investigated in the association between socioeconomic stress and morbidity, and the hypothesized biological mechanism by which socioeconomic stress and cortisol impact health is through chronically elevated systemic inflammation. This research is relevant to individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) for several reasons. First, up to 40% of children and adolescents with SCD are impacted by neighborhood poverty. Furthermore, individuals with SCD are faced with significant disease-related morbidities, such as chronic and acute pain, renal injury, and cerebrovascular disease that are further complicated by elevated inflammatory markers. Finally, cortisol is heavily understudied in this population, with no research investigating socioeconomic or inflammatory correlates. The purpose of this study was to investigate plasma cortisol and its association with neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors (income and poverty) and immunomodulatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10), among individuals with SCD. Method: Plasma from individuals with SCD within Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Penn Medicine) BioBanks were identified. A cortisol radioimmunoassay was used to determine plasma cortisol levels. The Olink immune response panel was used to measure plasma levels of 92 proteins involved in inflammatory pathways. Home address collected from electronic health records was used to determine neighborhood census tract geoid, which was then used to collect data on median neighborhood income and percentage of families living in poverty from the 2020 American Census Survey. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted across 4 subgroups in the total sample: pediatric patients, adult patients, SCA (HbSS/HbSß 0), and other SCD genotypes (HbSC/HbSß +). Control samples (healthy and sickle cell trait; n = 22) without neighborhood information were also available for comparison. Results: Fifty-four independent outpatient samples were identified after excluding duplicates and siblings. Twenty-seven samples were from children and adolescents receiving pediatric care at CHOP (Range age = .8 to 21; Mage= 13.6, SD = 5.3; 51.9% female, 74.1% SCA) and 27 samples were from adults receiving care at Penn Medicine (Range age = 19 to 56; Mage= 35.8, SD = 10.1; 51.9% female, 51.9% SCA). There were no significant differences in cortisol levels across each subgroup ( Mpeds= 16.6, SDpeds = 6.2; Madult= 13.4, SDadult = 6.9; MSCA= 15.1, SDSCA = 7.1; MSCD= 14.9, SDSCD = 6.3). Neighborhood income and poverty did not differ across pediatric and adult patients, and income did not differ across SCD types. However, neighborhood poverty was lower among patients with SCA ( M = 13.9; SD = 11.9) relative to other SCD genotypes ( M = 21.7; SD = 13.5; p = .041). Bivariate Spearman analyses found that neighborhood variables were not correlated with cortisol or cytokines in the total sample or subgroups. Yet, multivariate analyses controlling for sex and time of blood draw showed a positive main effect for patient age ( p = .019) and a significant age by poverty interaction ( p = .041) predicting cortisol among pediatric patients. Cortisol levels were higher with age, yet the association among poverty and cortisol was strongest in younger patients. Analyses also showed a sex*poverty interaction among pediatric patients that approached significance ( p = .081), such that poverty only predicted cortisol in male patients. There were no significant differences for immunomodulatory cytokines across each SCD subgroups; however, IL-6 and IL-10 were elevated in patients with SCA relative to healthy controls ( p IL6 = .021; p IL10 = .003). Bivariate Spearman correlations showed that cortisol was positively related to IL-6 (rho [ρ]= .38, p = .027) and IL-10 (ρ= .34, p = .048) among patients with SCA. There were no additional significant bivariate or multivariate effects. Conclusion: Neighborhood factors likely have downstream effects on the biological stress response and inflammation in SCD. Further research must be conducted to elucidate concurrent and prospective associations among neighborhood socioeconomic factors, stress-related cortisol response, and inflammatory outcomes when extending this work to investigate the impact of stress on SCD morbidity and mortality.

Disentangling the effects of depression and perceived stress on cortisol levels in individuals with obesity: Preliminary results from a cross-sectional study

BackgroundHypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation has been suggested to play a role in the association between depression and obesity. The study aimed to investigate differences in cortisol levels in individuals with obesity with and without depression and the role of perceived stress on these differences. MethodsSaliva samples were collected at awakening, 15-, 30- and 60-minutes post-awakening from 66 individuals with obesity (30 with major depressive disorder and 36 without major depressive disorder). Salivary cortisol was analysed using ELISA technique. Linear Mixed Models were used for group differences in cortisol awakening response (CAR) with adjustment for socio-demographic confounders and binge eating. ResultsIndividuals with obesity and depression had lower CAR compared with individuals with obesity without depression (β = −0.44; p = 0.036). When controlling for perceived stress, CAR was no longer influenced by depression (β = −0.09; p = 0.75), but individuals with moderate/high stress had lower CAR compared with those with low stress (β = −0.63; p = 0.036). ConclusionsOur results suggest that differences in CAR between individuals with obesity with and without depression could be due to higher levels of perceived stress in the depressed subjects.

Effects of long-term individual housing of middle-aged female Octodon degus on spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze task.

Prolonged social isolation is a form of passive chronic stress that has consequences on human and animal behavior. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the long-term isolation would precipitate age-related changes in anxiety and spatial learning and memory in degus. We investigated the effects of long-term social isolation on anxiety levels in the light-dark test, and spatial orientation abilities in the Barnes maze. Middle-aged female Octodon degus were allocated to either group-housed (3 animals per cage) or individually-housed for 5 months. Under this experimental condition, there were no significant group differences in the anxiety level tested in the light-dark test and in the motivation to escape from the Barnes maze. There were no significant differences in cortisol levels between individually- and group-housed animals. On the last acquisition training day of spatial learning, individually- housed animals had a significantly higher number of correct responses and a smaller number of reference and working memory errors than the group-housed animals. In addition, isolated animals showed a tendency for reference and working memory impairment on the retention trial, while group-housed degus showed improvement in these parameters. The present study indicates that prolonged social isolation during adulthood in female degus has a dual effect on spatial orientation. Specifically, it results in a significant improvement in acquisition skills but a slight impairment in memory retention. The obtained cognitive changes were not accompanied by modification in anxiety and cortisol levels.

Diurnal cortisol levels at home and in out-of-home childcare between 2 and 5 years of age - Associations with child social competence - The FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study

Prior research suggests that young children display higher cortisol levels in out-of-home childcare than at home. Social competence, such as prosocial or antisocial behavior, may affect stress regulation in a peer group setting. The aim of this study was to compare diurnal cortisol levels at home and in out-of-home childcare and examine the association between cortisol and child social competence. We hypothesized that differences in cortisol levels between home- and childcare day diminish along with child age from 2 to 5 years. Further, we assumed that lower prosocial and higher antisocial behavior would be positively associated with total diurnal cortisol in out-of-home childcare. A total of 108 children were drawn from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Four saliva cortisol samples were collected over two consecutive days (home day and childcare day) at 2, 3.5 and 5 years. Mothers reported child social competence by responding to Multisource Assessment of Child Social Competence at the age of 5. Contrary to expectations, total diurnal cortisol was not associated with child social competence. There were neither difference in cortisol levels between the home- and childcare day at the age of 5. Our earlier findings on the same study population showed higher afternoon cortisol levels during the childcare day at 2 and 3.5 years. However, such difference was no longer observed at the age of 5. More experience in out-of-home childcare, developed social competence and more matured self-regulation may explain the lack of such differences. Longitudinal analyzes are currently being examined.

Differences in Average Serum Cortisol Levels and Serum 25 Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

According to the World Health Organization, hypertension ranks second as the direct cause of maternal death in pregnancy; namely gestational hypertension (14%). Causes of maternal death in 2021 related to hypertension in pregnancy totaling 1,077 cases. Preeclampsia involves a number of biological processes that affect immune dysfunction, placental implantation, abnormal angiogenesis, excessive inflammation and high oxidative stress reactions and diseases related to maternal vascularization or blood vessels are possible contributing causes. Research with a case-control design was conducted at RSUP Dr. M. Djamil, RSIA Siti Hawa, and RSIA Cicik Padang from February 2021–August 2022. Preeclampsia and normal pregnancy research samples consisted of 27 case samples and 27 control samples. Serum cortisol levels and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were examined by the ELISA method. The Independent Sample T-Test was used to analyze the data. The mean difference in serum cortisol levels in preeclampsia was 48.70 ± 15.23 µg/dL, higher than that in normal pregnancy, 38.62 ± 8.27 µg/dL (p-value = 0.004, p <0.05). Differences The mean serum level of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D in preeclampsia was 13.63 ± 6.12 ng/ml, lower than that in normal pregnancy, 14.49 ± 3.94 ng/ml (p-value =0.539, p>0.05). The study concluded that there were differences in cortisol levels in preeclamptic pregnancies with normal pregnancies and there were no differences in serum levels of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D in preeclamptic pregnancies with normal pregnancies

Cortisol dysregulation in anxiety infertile women and the influence on IVF treatment outcome.

Dysregulation of the stress-regulatory hormone cortisol is associated with anxiety, but its potential impact on infertile women and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment remains unclear. This prospective cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the dysregulation of cortisol and its correlation to anxiety in infertile women. The influence of stress on IVF outcomes was also investigated. A point-of-care test was used for the measurement of morning serum cortisol in 110 infertile women and 112 age-matching healthy individuals. A Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was used for the anxiety assessment of infertile women, and 109 of them underwent IVF treatment starting with the GnRH-antagonist protocol. If clinical pregnancy was not achieved, more IVF cycles were conducted with adjusted protocols until the patients got pregnant or gave up. Higher morning serum cortisol level was identified for infertile patients, especially for the elder. Women with no anxiety showed significant differences in cortisol levels, monthly income, and BMI compared with those with severe anxiety. A strong correlation was found between the morning cortisol level and the SAS score. When the cutoff value is 22.25 μg/dL, cortisol concentration could predict the onset of anxiety with high accuracy (95.45%) among infertile women. After IVF treatments, women with high SAS scores (>50) or cortisol levels (>22.25 μg/dL) demonstrated a lower rate of pregnancy (8.0%-10.3%) and more IVF cycles, although the impact of anxiety was not affirmative. Hypersecretion of cortisol related to anxiety was prevalent among infertile women, but the influence of anxiety on multi-cycle IVF treatment was not affirmative due to the complicated treatment procedures. This study suggested that the assessment of psychological disorders and stress hormone dysregulation should not be overlooked. An anxiety questionnaire and rapid cortisol test might be included in the treatment protocol to provide better medical care.

MAFLD in Patients with Cushing's Disease Is Negatively Associated with Low Free Thyroxine Levels Rather than with Cortisol or TSH Levels.

This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristic of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in patients with active Cushing's disease (CD) and determine associations of thyroid hormones with MAFLD. Patients with active CD were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were assessed for hepatic steatosis by abdominal ultrasonography and thyroid functions. Demographic and clinical characteristic parameters were collected for correlation analysis and logistic analysis. 290 individuals with active CD were included in Huashan hospital from January 2014 to February 2022. We found that the prevalence of CD with MAFLD was 33.79%. The MAFLD group had a lower level of FT4 and a higher level of FT3/FT4 but no difference in levels of cortisol, 24 h UFC, TSH, TT4, TT3, and FT3. Correlation analysis showed positive associations of TSH, TT4, TT3, FT3, and FT3/FT4 with BMI. In age-, BMI-, sex-, cortisol-, and 24 h UFC-adjusted analysis, FT4 was independently associated with MAFLD in patients with CD. This association remained similar even after adjusting for the presence of metabolic syndrome components. Lower FT4 levels were associated with higher risk of MAFLD in patients with CD. FT4 may be used as a helpful indicator to predict MAFLD and provide novel ideas for the treatment of MAFLD in patients with CD in the future.

Water temperature explains part of the variation in basal plasma cortisol level within and between fish species.

Within the thermal tolerance range of fish, metabolism is known to escalate with warming. Rapid thermic changes also trigger a series of physiological responses, including activation of the stress axis, producing cortisol. Fish have adapted to their environment by producing a low level of plasmatic cortisol when unstressed (basal), so that thriving in their natural temperature should not impact their basal cortisol levels. Yet, surprisingly, little is known on how temperature affects cortisol within and between fish species. Here, we conducted a phylogenetic meta-analysis to (1) test whether temperature can explain the differences in basal cortisol between species and (2) evaluate the role of temperature on differences in cortisol levels between individuals of a same species. To do this, we retrieved basal plasma cortisol data from 126 studies, investigating 33 marine and freshwater fish species, and correlated it to water temperature. Intra-species variability in basal plasma cortisol levels was further investigated in two species: the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax and the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Factors such as life stage, sex and weight were also considered in the analyses. Overall, our phylogenetic analysis revealed a clear positive correlation between basal cortisol level and the temperature at which the fish live. The role of temperature has also been confirmed within D. labrax, while it failed to be significant in O. niloticus. In this paper, the influence of habitat, life stage, sex and weight on basal plasma cortisol levels is also discussed. Since some abiotic parameters were not included in the analysis, our study is a call to encourage scientists to systematically report other key factors such as dissolved oxygen or salinity to fully depict the temperature-cortisol relationship in fishes.

Effects of pair housing on behavior, cortisol, and clinical outcomes during quarantine-like procedures for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Compatible pair housing of macaques in research settings increases species-typical behaviors and facilitates beneficial social buffering. It is not yet established whether these benefits are maintained after intrafacility transfer and domestic quarantine, which are two stressors that can lead to behavioral and clinical abnormalities. We evaluated 40 adolescent male rhesus macaques who were single- or pair-housed immediately following an intrafacility transfer. We measured behavior, fecal cortisol, body weight, and diarrhea occurrence. Body weight and diarrhea occurrence were also retrospectively analyzed in an additional 120 adolescent rhesus who underwent a similar transfer. Pair-housed macaques exhibited less of some undesirable behaviors (e.g., self-clasping) and experienced less diarrhea than single-housed subjects; however, no significant differences in cortisol levels or alopecia measures were found. The demonstrated beneficial effects of pair housing for rhesus macaques following intrafacility transfer and adjustment suggest pairing upon arrival at a new facility will bolster animal welfare.

Novel sedentary cage induced sedentariness in rats: evidence from relevant biomarkers

BackgroundSedentary behavior or physical inactivity is considered a foremost contributor to the rise in obesity and overweight and a risk factor for several non-communicable diseases. However, its effect on the etiopathogenesis of some diseases is underestimated in both developed and developing countries worldwide. The present study designed a novel sedentary cage with a view to achieving sedentariness in rats, and also investigated the effectiveness of the cage in achieving sedentariness by assessing some markers of cardiometabolic risks in Wistar rats.MethodsAdult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of six rats. Rats in Group 1 were the control. The sedentary groups were 4-hr. sedentary and 8-hr. sedentary. The sedentary rats were subjected to restrained movements for 4 and 8 hours daily in the sedentary cage for 3 months. Anthropometric indices, food consumption and blood pressure parameters of the rats were measured. Microalbuminuria and serum glucose, uric acid, albumin, nitric oxide, endothelin-1, insulin, inflammatory markers were also Measured.ResultsResults indicated significant increases in body weight, BMI, Lee index, food consumption, systolic and diastolic pressure and decrease in serum nitric oxide bioavailability in the 8-hr sedentary rats. There were also significant increases in serum glucose, uric acid, endothelin-1, insulin, CRP and microalbuminuria in the 8-hr. sedentary rats in comparison with the control. The interleukin-6 and TNF-α also revealed a significant increase in the 8-hr. sedentary rats compared with the control. However, there was no significant difference in cortisol level across all the groups.ConclusionsWe concluded that the novel sedentary cage successfully caused sedentariness in the rats as evident by the alteration in the cardiometabolic health in the rats, especially the group that were made sedentary for 8 h.

PSAT085 Monoclonal Cortisol Immunoassay Cut Off Point to Diagnose Adrenal Insufficiency (AI)

Abstract Objective Adrenal Insufficiency (AI) is diagnosed when the peak cortisol level after a cosyntropin stimulation test is <18 mg/dL using a standard reference (e.g. polyclonal antibody (pAb) immunoassay). However, in most laboratories the polyclonal assay is being replaced by a specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunoassay which yields lower cortisol levels, leading to the over diagnosis of AI and unnecessary steroid use. Methods/Study Population We obtained blood samples from 36 patients undergoing 1 mcg cosyntropin stimulation tests for diagnosis of AI. Samples were analyzed using pAb immunoassay (Abbott Architect Cortisol), mAb immunoassay (Roche Elecsys Cortisol II), and mass spectrometry (MS). AI was diagnosed if serum cortisol level was <18 using the pAb immunoassay. Measurements by MS and mAb immunoassay were individually used in simple logistic regression models to predict AI. For each model, we calculated a cortisol level corresponding to a 50% probability (median) of AI and used the delta method to determine the standard error and 95% confidence interval of the median. We used receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity to evaluate the potential of the median values as thresholds for each predictor. Results The ROC curve model indicated an area under the curve of 0.997 with a median value of 11.2 mcg/dL for the mAb immunoassay. This provides a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 95%, positive predictive value of 95%, and negative predictive value of 94%. This new value has a Kappa coefficient of 0.89 when compared to the pAb immunoassay. When using all the data points throughout the stimulation test, data showed a mean difference in cortisol level between the mAb immunoassay and the pAb immunoassay of 5.12 mcg/dL (p-value <0.01) at any point during the test. Discussion/Significance New and highly specific mAb immunoassays are being used more widely but yield lower cortisol results. This reflects the need for further studies to determine new cut off points for highly specific cortisol immunoassays. A cut off level of 11.2 mcg/dL for the mAb immunoassay would provide a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 95%. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Comparison of Serum Levels of Adiponectin and Cortisol between Overweight/Obese and Normal Weight Men

Introduction: Obesity, results in a number of serious complications, such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome. The levels of blood of adiponectin and cortisol have been associated with obesity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of adiponectin and cortisol levels with obesity and biochemical parameters.
 Methods: This case-control study was conducted only on men, 80 participants with body mass index (BMI)≥25 considered as case group, and 100 participants with BMI<25 as control group in the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Plasma levels of adiponectin and cortisol were measured through ELISA kit and other variables were determined by standard methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. P-values <0.05 were considered as significant.
 Results: Our findings showed no significant difference in cortisol level between individuals with BMI≥25 and individuals with BMI<25. Obese men had significantly higher levels of triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lipid profiles whereas, adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower compared to the control group (p-value<0.05). In this study, an inverse correlation was observed between adiponectin and fasting blood glucose (FBS), and also BMI. It was found a positive correlation between cortisol and cholesterol and also FBS.
 Conclusion: The results show that there is no relationship between cortisol and obesity, but a negative correlation between adiponectin levels and obesity.
  

Investigation of the Relationship among Cortisol, Pro-inflammatory Cytokines, and the Degradation of Tryptophan into Kynurenine in Patients with Major Depression and Suicidal Behavior.

The increased degradation of tryptophan (Trp) along the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway due to inflammation and/or activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been reported among the biological factors involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicide. However, the interaction among these multiple factors is not yet completely clarified. We studied plasma levels of Trp, Kyn, cortisol and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL- 6, IL-12, IL-20) and calculated the ratio Kyn/Trp as an index of the breakdown of Trp into Kyn in 31 suicidal MDD patients and 67 non-suicidal MDD patients. We confirmed that suicidal MDD patients have reduced plasma Trp, higher Kyn and Kyn/Trp ratio, and no difference in cortisol levels than non-suicidal MDD patients. IL-1 and IL-12 levels were significantly higher in suicidal MDD than in non-suicidal MDD (p=0.034 and p=0.023, respectively), whereas Il-6 and IL-20 levels were equal in the two groups. The Kyn/Trp ratio was positively correlated with a pro-inflammatory cytokines index (r=0.309, p=0.002) and cortisol (r=0.368, p=0.001). Notably, the variance in the Kyn/Trp ratio explained by the model including both cortisol and inflammatory parameters as dependent variables, substantially improved compared with the models in which the two parameters were considered separately. These findings show that both cortisol and proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the enhanced breakdown of Trp into Kyn occurring in suicidal MDD patients, thus adding new knowledge on the biological mechanisms leading to the activation of the Kyn pathway in MDD and suicide.

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

In Thailand, domestic cats are the most common companion animal, and many are admitted to veterinary clinics for neutering surgery; however, such environment can induce stress. This is the first study to evaluate stress in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery using cat stress score (CSS) and salivary cortisol levels, including the impact of providing a hiding box (B) and/or administering a pheromone product to reduce stress. The study design was based on a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 80 domestic cats undergoing routine neutering surgery were assessed for their behavioral demeanor scoring system (DSS) as friendly (DSS1) and aggressive (DSS2) based on a DSS. During admission, the cats were randomly allocated to single standard cages with one of the following treatments: (B), feline facial pheromone (P), a combination of hiding box and the pheromone (BP), or no additional enrichment (C). Cat stress score, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were recorded. The cortisol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to assess the salivary cortisol level. On the 1st day of admission, aggressive cats had a significantly higher CSS (4.16 ± 0.29) than friendly cats (3.27 ± 0.16). Both demeanor cat groups showed statistically significant reductions in stress levels earlier than the control group after providing the enrichments. Saliva cortisol measurements ranged from 0.24 to 0.66 ng/mL. No statistical differences in cortisol levels were observed between the 1st day and other days of admission. In contrast, no differences in food intake and hide-seeking behavior were seen within each group during the same period. Results suggested that stress and stress responses in cats depended on behavioral demeanor. The provision of enrichment, including hiding box and feline facial pheromone in singly housed caging reduced stress, especially in aggressive cats. However, salivary cortisol analysis, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were ineffective for assessing stress in cats after neutering surgery.

1426P Depression and genetic variants related to cortisol levels may influence the vulnerability of head and neck cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder

Head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis could trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), depression, and individual differences in cortisol levels could influence the vulnerability to PTSD in cancer patients. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) on genes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, involved in stress response, such as CRHR1 (rs110402, C/T), FKBP5 (rs3800373, G/T), and NR3C1 (rs41423247, C/G), may impact cortisol production. However, the influence of psychosocial and genetic factors on HNC-related PTSD is not fully known.

Dynamic change in cortisol levels associated with severity, progression, and survival of patients with traumatic brain injury

BackgroundCortisol levels are elevated in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and gradually decrease during patient recovery. Thus, dynamic changes in cortisol levels may serve as a prognostic biomarker of TBI. AimThis study aimed to examine the relationship between serum cortisol levels and outcomes in TBI patients. MethodsIn this prospective case-cohort study, 238 patients with TBI were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were recorded within the first 24 h of hospitalization. Serum cortisol levels were measured using chemiluminescence assay (Immunoassay i1000). The association between cortisol levels and outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score) was evaluated at discharge from the hospital and after six months of follow-up. ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 35.03 ± 17.68 years and the male: female ratio was 4.3:1. At the time of admission(day-1), cortisol levels in the TBI patients were significantly higher than those on day-7 (9.81 ± 4.20 µg/dl versus 23.41 ± 11.83 µg/dl; p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between cortisol levels and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (p = 0.018). Moderate head injury (GCS;9–12) was observed in 108(45.4 %) patients and 130(54.6 %) patients with severe head injury (GCS;3–8) at presentation. CGS was significantly associated with the survival of patients with TBI; alive(n = 143) vs. dead (n = 77); p < 0.001. At 6 months follow-up of patients (n = 184), the findings revealed that the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and GCS score were significantly associated(p = 0.018). One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in cortisol levels on day-1, day-7 and six months of sampling (p < 0.0001). Based on the GOS E score, the cortisol levels in the unfavorable and favorable groups significantly differed from those in the GOSE groups (p = 0.05). Similarly, cortisol levels were significantly associated with survival in patients with TBI (p = 0.04). With increasing cortisol levels, the GOSE score was poor and at > 50 µg/dl, no patient has survived. ConclusionsDay 1 and 7 cortisol, correlated with the outcomes at 6 months, had predictive value post-TBI.

Assessment of Cortisol Hormonal Level and Relation With Age in Infertile Women With ICSI Outcome

In human-assisted reproduction both partners need to be evaluated during counseling because causes of infertility are due to male factors and female factors. some body hormones play important role in fertile women and cortisol one of these hormones which is essential for normal ovulation, cortisol usually increases during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, play a role in the early stages of follicular development by their interaction with aromatase activity and granulose cell functions. To investigate the correlation of cortisol hormonal level in serum and in follicular fluid that relationship with age in women under Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome. Its randomized prospective clinical trial study performance conducting in the Higher Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies / AlNahrain University, Baghdad-Iraq, during the period from November2021to June 2022. a total of Sixty-three Infertile Iraqi women, who planned to inter intrasytoplasmic sperm injection program. The blood sample and follicular fluid sample obtained from all infertile women inter intracytoplasmic sperm injection program to measure cortisol hormonal level at specific days of this study. There was increase in cortisol level in women aged between (30-40) years, So there was significant finding between cortisol level and this age group and there was increase in cortisol level in women aged &lt; 30 years at the same day and no significant difference in cortisol level in women age more than 40. Significant differences in cortisol level appear in group of women age between (30-40) years, also the same result appears in group of women age more than &gt; 40 years and no significant differences in cortisol level in women aged &lt; 30. No significant differences in cortisol level in all age women group (30-40) years, &lt;30 years ,and the women age &gt; 40 years

How distinct killifish populations respond differently to stress

Down the east coast of North America, populations of Atlantic killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, experience wildly different thermal environments. Southern populations experience water that is, on average, 12°C hotter than northern populations annually. These northern and southern killifish populations cope with stress differently. When fish are stressed, such as when predators are nearby, they activate a suite of mechanisms that regulate the release of the stress hormone cortisol, allowing the fish to remain in good condition. Researchers found previously that killifish from southern populations had higher plasma cortisol levels than killifish from northern populations after they experienced the same stress. To figure out why some fish respond strongly to stress while others do not, Madison Earhart and co-workers from the University of British Columbia, Canada, with colleagues from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and the University of Glasgow, UK, set out to determine what genes are responsible for the differences in killifish stress responses by investigating different mechanisms that trigger cortisol release after experiencing stress.Earhart and colleagues travelled to the USA and collected adult killifish from northern New Hampshire and southern Georgia populations. Then, they brought the fish back to the lab in British Columbia. First, the team wanted to see whether the differences in population stress response changed when the fish experienced stress briefly or were exposed to the same stress repeatedly over the period of a week by either putting the fish in buckets and shaking them for half an hour or repeatedly shaking them every day for a week. After stressing the fish, the team collected samples of the fish's blood to measure their cortisol plasma levels, in addition to collecting samples of the fish's brain, head kidney – the organ that produces cortisol – and liver – the organ that produces and breaks down glucose – to measure the expression of genes important for the production and release of cortisol due to stress.After experiencing the single stressful situation, the southern killifish population had higher cortisol levels than the northern killifish population. However, when the fish were repeatedly stressed over the period of a week, there was no difference in cortisol levels between the northern and southern populations. The southern population of killifish, which had a stronger response to the individual stressful situation, expressed more of the genes involved in cortisol production in the brain and head kidney. In addition, the livers of fish from the southern population were more responsive to the cortisol stress hormone as they expressed larger amounts of the gene for the protein that triggers the protective mechanisms that are activated by cortisol when a fish is stressed.The team also measured the condition of the fish after repeated stress. They found that the southern killifish, which were more stress responsive than the northern killifish, were in better condition after experiencing repeated stress than were northern populations. This showed that responding to stress by increasing cortisol was beneficial for the southern population of fish.Earhart and colleagues noted that the answer as to why some fish respond more strongly to stress than others is more complex than simply increasing cortisol levels in the body. They showed that there are differences in the expression of genes all along the pathways that make cortisol, respond to cortisol and cease cortisol production in these two different populations of fish. Therefore, it is important to continue to study these differences in populations of the same species adapted to different environments.

Cortisol Level Related to Depression in Women with Endometriosis

Background: Several main symptoms of endometriosis can lead to physical and psychological stress and also hormonal disturbances as the result of prolonged stress. Cortisol was associated with the onset of depression. This study aimed to determine the relationship between cortisol levels and depression in women with endometriosis at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital (RSMH) Palembang.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility outpatient clinic and inpatient ward, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang, from January to November 2020. There were 74 samples of endometriosis patients who met the inclusion criteria. The blood cortisol level was examined using the ELISA method. The determination of depression level was performed by filling out the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0.&#x0D; Results: Seventy-four samples met the inclusion criteria. As many as 44 patients (59.5%) without depression, 20 patients (27%) with mild depression, 8 patients (10.8%) with moderate depression, and only 2 patients (2.7%) with severe depression. There were no differences in age, marital status, parity, menstrual cycle, and duration of treatment between endometriosis patients with and without depression (p &gt; 0.05). There was a significant difference in cortisol levels between endometriosis patients with and without depression (p = 0.017). Endometriosis patients with cortisol levels ≤ 7.4 mg/dl were three times more at risk of depression than endometriosis patients with cortisol levels &gt; 7.4 mg/dl. In addition, there was a significant relationship between cortisol level and depression status (OR = 3.023 (95% CI 1.153–7.942; p = 0.041). This study also found a significantly low negative correlation between cortisol levels and BDI scores (r = -0.249; p = 0.032).&#x0D; Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between serum cortisol levels and depression in women with endometriosis. Endometriosis patients with depression had significantly lower cortisol levels than endometriosis patients without depression.

P293. Disentangling the Effects of Depression and Perceived Stress on Cortisol Levels in Individuals With Obesity

Depression and obesity are highly comorbid disorders. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been suggested as a potential biological mechanism involved in the link between these two disorders. High levels of stress can contribute to both depression and obesity as well as HPA axis dysregulation. In the current study, we investigated differences in cortisol levels in individuals with obesity with and without depression, and the effects of perceived stress and binge eating on cortisol levels.